Massage and exercise machine



June 7, 1932., E A, ANDESON 1,861,774

MASSAGE AND EXERCISE MACHINE Filed oct. 1, 1928 4 sheets-s116191 1 June 7, 1932. F. A. ANDERSON 1,851,774

MASSAGE AND EXERCISE MACHINE Filed Oct. l, 1928 4 SheetsvSheet 2 June 7, 1932. F. A. ANDERSON MASSAGE AND EXERCISE MACHINE Filed Oct. l, 1928 WW w W ,0% y n m m E r FJ KJ un e ffmf /L/OWQM. l ww Iv H. I\ Kf lmHmWlw mi la 5 ma A, y@ Www l Ill. lllllWhHllHHllllllHHIlllvll Y l l o ||||1|||| l- 1 w O i i u y| 1\ -i MASSAGE AND EXERCISE MACHINE Filed Oct. l, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented .lune 7, 1932 PATENT asics FRE'LZ A. ANDERSON, OF MILTON, WISCONSIN, SSIGNOR TO THE BIJRDICK COREORA- TIGN, OF lVIL'Gil', WQCONSN, A CGRPORATION 0F DEL-AWARE MASSAGE .AND EXERCISE MACHINE Application led October 1, 1928. Serial No. 309,561.

My invention relates to massage and exercise machines.

It is shown embodied in a machine intended and adapted for use either in the home, 'lor a general and special application of Yibratory forces to the human body, or in hospitals,

doctors7 oilices, gymnasiums, physical culture academies, and the like, where treatment is to he given under the care and direction or 10 a specialist and in cases where the peculiar knowledge of a specialist is essential for intensive or special treatment.

The machine is so constructed that a person without technical knowledge may oper- 35 ate it and make Whatever adjustments are necessary to vary the amplitude andy speed of the vibratory movement of the applicators.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved massage and exercise machine.

A further object is to provide a massage and exercise machine in which all or' the moving parts, except the applicators and the oscillating supporting arm to which the applicaters are connected are entirely encased, thus precluding the possibility of the person or clothing of the patient becoming entangled with the parts while the machine is in operation.

A further object is to provide a massage and exercise machine in which the force translating mechanism is so constructed as to reduce vibration to a minimum regardless of the amplitude of the movement of the applicators.

Another object is to provi-de a massage and exercise machine in which the torce transmitting and translating elements are mounted in unitary assembly, resting directlyA upon the floor or other supporting surface thereby reducing vibration of the machine as a whole to a minimum degree.

A further object is to provide a massage and exercise machine which is durable in construction and in Which the center of graity is suihciently low to preclude the necessity of fixing the machine to the door.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear. Y

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a perspective of my improved vibrating machine;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l but With the door open;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the forward portion of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the center of the machine in a plane transverse to the section illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view through the head of the machine; and

F ig. 6 is a side elevation of one of the applicator supports, a part thereof in section.

in general, the machine selected for illustration comprises a central and pivotally mounted rocker arm A having hooks B at its outer ends for attachment of various types of applicators, an electric motor C, speed transmission and control mechanism D for driving a vertical shaft E from motor C and power translating mechanism including an eccentric mechanism F for translating rotational movement of shaft E to oscillatory movement of rocker arm A. The translating mechanism includes an adjusting device Gr for varying the amplitude of movement of arm A. All of the mechanism except adjusting knob G and the eXtreme ends of rocker arm A and their hooks are enclosed in a cabinet.

Elements A, B, C, D, E, F and G are supported upon a rigid, [upright frame comprising a horizontally disposed base H and a head J interconnected by four upright'tubular pillars K. The moving parts of the machine are, therefore, included in a single intimately associated unitary assembly resting directly upon the floor or other supporting surface upon which the machine is placed. An ornamental metal casing or cabinet L having a door M and applicator compartments N Within, surrounds the mechanism described, giving a finished and neat appearance to the machine, affording protection to those standing nearby While the machine is in operation and providing a place for storing the applicators when not in use.

Motor C is supported upon a plate 15 clamped at 16 to the rear pair of pillars K.

Shaft 17 of motor C extends vertically upward and has a drive pulley 18 thereon which is connected by a belt 19 with a relatively large driven pulley 20. Pulley 20 (see Fig. 3) is fixed to an idler shaft'21 journaled at 22 and 23 by frictionless bearings within a U-shaped bracket 24. Bracket 24 is supported upon the front left pillar K.

Large and small pulleys 25 and 26 are rotatably mounted by frictionless bearings upon shaft 21a short distance apart from one another. A clutch disc 27 (see Fig. 4) is feathered to shaft 21 between pulleys 25 and 26. Clutch disc 27 has laterally extending teeth on each side thereof adapted for selective engagement with similar teeth on adjacent sides of pulleys 25 and 26.

Pulleys 25 and 26 are connected by belts 42 and 43 to small and large pulleys 44 and 45 respectively, each of which is keyed to shaft E. Shaft E is journaled by a frictionless bearing at 50 at its lower end upon a bracket 51 carried by the right rear pillar K (see Fig. 4) and at its upper end by a frictionless bearing 52 disposed within head plate J.

The elements thus far described constitute the power and speed transmission parts of the machine by means of which the speed of rotation of shaft E may be varied. To facilitate `operation of clutch 27 in effecting a change of the speed of shaft E a hand lever 36 is mounted in compartment N of casing L and is connected by a rod 37 with a pivotally mounted finger 38 having parts engageable with a circumferential groove 40 on clutch disc 27. To change the speed of shaft E the operator need only open door M and manipulate, in one direction or the other, the lever 36 which is in a convenient position extending toward the front of the casing.

The upper end of shaft E extends above head plate J and within a depressed portion 55 formed in the top thereof. The upper end of shaft E is externally threaded to receive an internally threaded circular body 58 forming a part of the eccentric mechanism F.

The eccentric mechanism further includes a spindle 68 movable diametrically across the circular body 58 of the eccentric mechanism secured against movement relative to body 58 by the turning of hand grip 89 forming a part of the adjusting mechanism G.

A connecting rod 92 is journaled bv frictionless bearing at 93 upon spindle 68 and at the other end at 94, similarly by a frictionless bearing as shown in Fig. 5, to rocker arm A 'to a point at one side of the pivotal axis 95 of the rocker arm. Rotational movement of shaft E is therefore translated into oscillatory movement of arm A and substantially rectilinear vibratory movements of such applicators as may be attached to hooks B thereof'.

Journals 22, 23, 50, 52, 93, 94 all have suitable lubricating passages, as also have the bearings for pulleys 25 and 26. This construction greatly adds to the efficient and smooth transmission and translation of power from motor C to oscillating rocker arm A.

A front panel 100 within casing L serves to enclose that portion of the casing below compartment N when door M is open. This panel has a knob 101, which may be gripped to .lift the panel out of its place, affording access to motor C and the speed transmission and control parts D.

Compartment N has a shelf 103 dividing the compartment into two parts for storing the various types of applicators with which the machine is intended to operate, such as broad and narrow belt applicators 104 and 105, vacuum cup applicator 106 and pad applicator 107. Door M has clips 107 and pins 108 for supporting an applicator rod 109 and a bar applicator 110 as shown.

An upper casing 115 supported upon head plate J entirely surrounds that portion of the mechanism carried above head plate J except for the outer ends of rock shaft A and the adjusting mechanism G which must n-ecessarily extend without the casing.

A removable plate 116 covers the top of upper casing 115 and is secured thereto by thumb screws 117. This plate need only be removed for the lubrication of eccentric mechanism F and bearing 94.

A switch 119 is mounted upon the front wall of upper casing 115 for the purpose of controlling the circuit to motor C.

In order to facilitate accurate alignment of the internal assembly of parts supported upon frame H-K-J pillars K are connected with base plate H and head plate J by extending the lower and upper ends respectively of the pillars in sockets 120 in the base plate and head plates respectively, all of which have set screws 121 permitting relative movement for the purpose of permanent adjustment between plates and pillars during assembly. This arrangement also permits the correcting of any warping of the parts through abuse, though this condition is not apt to occur because of the inherent sturdy construction of the parts as described.

Belt applicators 104 and 105 consist of a length of woven fabric having leather end pieces 131 at their opposite ends fashioned to form an elongated loop or eyeiet which may be passed overhooks B so as to secure the opposite ends of the belts to opposite ends of vibrating rocker arm A. This type of applicator may b-e used by passing the belt partially about the-body of the patient so reduced Without-injury to the patient. Belt applicators may also be used by securing but one end of the belt to one of the hooks B and wrapping the belt about the body or limbs while the patient holds the opposite end of U the belt in his or her hand.

Pad applicator 10'1 and vacuum cup applicator 106 are supported upon rod 109. This rod (see Fig. 6) has a leather eyelet 135 at one end through which one of the hooks 1) is passed and a screw-threaded socket 136 at its opposite ends, upon which pad 107 or cup 106 is mounted by inserting stud screws 137 embedded therein within screw socket 13 In order that the patient may guide and hold "f'f the applicator to various parts of the body while the device is in use a sleeve 140 encompasses rod 109 and is slidably mounted thereon so that the rod is free to move through the sleeve when the sleeve is gripped in the -i hand.

The cup applicator 106 is constructed of soft rubber and has an air valve 138 in the side wall thereof with an adjustment screw for controlling the ingress and egress of air to and from the interior thereof. In use this valve permits the patient to control the atmospheric depression Within the cup and is particularly useful in adapting the device for` use by patients having different characteristics as to the tenderness of the outer fleshy tissues. A child, for instance, having quite tender iesh would require but slight atmospheric depression within the cup to bring about intense surface circulation.

'f The bar applicator 11() has leather terminal members 150 having loops or eyelets fashioned therein through which hooks B may be passed. The major portion of the bar is parallel with rocker arm A and in use the patient grips the bar, preferably with both hands, with the hands in front or in back, and vibra.- tory movement is thus imparted through the arms to the entire upper portion of the body. Exercise with the bar applicator is particularly useful in inducing general cellular massage and in overcoming a weak or feeble blood circulation with its attendant skin disorders. In operation the message and exercising machine preferably rests directly upon the floor in such position as to allow suiiicient space in front of the machine for the patient to stand or sit upon a chair or bench. Prior to starting motor C or while clutch 27 is disengaged and in its neutral position, an applicator is selected from the various types herein described and attached to hooks B. If'

motor C is transmitted to rotating shaft D at a speed determinable by the position of v clutch 27. This rotational movementof shaft D is translated by eccentric mechanism F to an Voscillator movement of rocker arniA d'0 and to substantially rectilinear movement of the end of the applicator.

Should the'patient desire to alter the speed of thevibratory movement, door M is opened and lever 36 moved to its opposite position. Thus reducing ork increasing the speed Vof shaft D depending upon the initial position of lever 36. Y y l One ofl the important `advantages possessed-by my improved vibrating machine is that the amplitude of the vibratory movement imparted to the various applicators may be predetermined by adjustment mechanism G in the manner described. This is accomplished without altering or` changing in any way the relative movement as between the opposite ends of the rocker arm so that the movement of the opposite ends of the rocker arm is at all times complementary, thus inducing uniform movement of such applicators as are connected with the opposite ends thereof.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a massage and exercise machine, a base, a plurality of upright pillars adjustably supported upon the base, a top plate carried by the upper ends of said" pillars, an applicator supporting arm movably mounted upon the top plate, a motor mounted upon the pil- 10o lars, speed changing mechanism disposed between the pillars and mounted upon brackets carried by said pillars, other means associated with the speed changing mechanism and said motor for translating rotational move- 105 ment to vibratory movement of said arm and a casing entirely surrounding said pillars and said top plate.

2. In a massage and exercise machine, a

base, a plurality of upright pillars adjustably supported upon the base, a top plate carried by the upper ends of said pillars, an applicator supporting arm movably mounted upon the top plate, a motor mounted upon the pillars, speed changing mechanism disposed between the pillars and mounted upon brackets carried by said pillars, other means associated with the speed changing mechanism and said motor for translating rotational movement to vibratory movement of said arm, a casing entirely surrounding said pillars and said top plate, said casing being formed with an inwardly extending compartment for supporting applicators therein, and a. speed changing control lever for said speed change mechanism disposed within said compartment.

3. In a massage and exercise machine, a base, a plurality of upright pillars adjustably supported upon the base, a top plate carried by the upper ends of said pillars, an applif cator supporting arm movably mounted upon the top plate, a motor mounted upon the pillars and speed changing mechanism disposed between the pillars and mounted upon brackets carried by said pillars, other means associated with the speed changing mechanism and a motor for translating rotational movey ment to vibratory movement of said arm, a

casing entirely surrounding said pillars and said top plate, said casing being formed With an inwardly extending compartment for supporting applicators therein, said'oasing being provided Withy a door having applicator supporting clamps fixed to its inner Wall, and a speed changing control lever for said speed changing mechanism disposed Within said compartment.

' In Witness whereof7 I hereunto subscribe my name this 27th day of September, 1928.

FRITZ A. ANDERSON. 

